One woman, two teens and 26 miles…….

We went on a walk recently.

Me, the two teens, and the dog.

I think it was reliable to say that only the Labrador had a good time!

It would seem teens and traveling by foot doesn’t work….

The plan was to get 10 miles under our belt, after exactly 10 minutes, I had heard more sighs that a labouring woman, and more grumbles than my chair when I sit down on it after eating all the pudding!

One decided their feet were bleeding after two whole miles, this was later proven to be more fantastical than a Unicorn, and the other decided that walking was better as a solitary sport rather than a family activity.

However, we did manage 9.4 miles, with a lovely interval at the pub where we all had a serious ten minutes calm down with chips and technology before concurring we didn’t mind each other that much.

Why am I sharing this?

Firstly, mainly for sympathy. Three hours walking with thirteen year olds who are not happy is challenging, at times I longed to be like the mutt and able to tear off into the fields after a ball rather than hear another long lament about why cars were invented for a reason…

Secondly, because the kids and I are attempting to walk the Yorkshire 3 Peaks next weekend, to raise money for their trip with school to South Africa next year.

This was their idea – and I massively respect that they are trying to help out via fundraising.

Personally, I’m dreading it!

Its a bloody hard walk, without kids, and certainly without my friend Type 1 Diabetes, who as always will be coming along for the ride!

(4 hypos on the last walk – followed by a nighttime of rebound highs – just another diabetic day.)

I can only imagine how they will fare walking up hill, three times, with a backpack and boots on…..

So – I am asking for you to wish me luck – and possibly for donations of gin on my doorstep when I come back!

The weather at the moment looks ok, if it does change, the plan is to walk in March instead.

Either way – we are doing it!

The kids are looking for sponsorship to undertake the task of walking across the Yorkshire Peaks

The trip they are fundraising to go on a sports and cultural tour to South Africa with school. One that will also involve them spending time with the Goedgedacht Trust, whose focus is on helping rural children and youth in West Coast and Boland towns to break free from the cycle of generational poverty.

The Path Out of Poverty or “POP” program seeks to transform rural communities, by offering the next generation of children the opportunity to become healthy, self-confident, educated young people. They will take part in POP activities such as assist in the Kindergarten , the after school club and undertake some sports coaching.

I am pretty proud that they were selected to go, and that they want to ‘do something’ to help raise money.

There isn’t much you can do at 13 to make money, but putting their bodies, feet and my ears through some pain seems to be one.